A major fund-raising appeal has been launched to try to improve the lives of little Charlie and Freddie Holmes – after the twins were diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

The boys - who are now four years old - were born at just 30 weeks and spent the first seven weeks of their lives in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Within just a couple of weeks, Charlie - who is 13 minutes older than his brother - was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, which is the most severe form of the condition and affects his arms and legs.

And when the boys were two, parents Jo and Rich noticed Freddie had failed to hit his development milestones and took him for tests which confirmed he also had the condition, albeit the less severe diplegic form.

Now two years on, Freddie has been approved for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery on the NHS at Alder Hey Children's Hospital which can help him walk unaided.

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That has triggered the £20,000 fund-raising campaign to help pay for crucial physiotherapy to ensure Freddie's surgery is a success and pay for equipment and home improvements to make both boys' lives easier.

Charlie and Freddie Holmes, from Stone

Jo, aged 37, of Stone, said: "Coming to terms with the prospect of having a disabled child is daunting but then the shock of having disabled twins was something we were not prepared for.

"There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but hopefully we can do everything we can to improve their lives now and in the future.

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"The NHS physiotherapy for Freddie after his op is not enough. It's only around two sessions a week so we'd like to pay privately to supplement it.

"It would be pointless having the operation without the physio. The key part is the two years of physiotherapy. We need equipment for the house, like parallel bars and a child-sized treadmill.

"It will be absolutely vital for Freddie to be able to walk on his own, but what strength he has now will be gone. Fundamentally he will have to learn to walk again. He loves being outside and hates being cooped up in the house.

"I'd love to see him running around with his friends or doing a sports day. This would change his life. We would also love to make adaptations to our home which will benefit both boys and make life easier."

Charlie and Freddie Holmes, from Stone

Jo says both boys are always smiling.

She added: "Everybody comments about how happy they are and that they are such well-behaved children. They hardly ever have tantrums – I can't say its down to good parenting, I think it's just luck really.

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"But it helps us so much to know they are so happy. We do so much with them and try to let nothing really stop us from doing things we'd be doing if they were able-bodied."

Dad Rich says they often get into mischief with their younger brother Bob.

The 47-year-old is also planning a number of fund-raising events to help with their campaign.

He said: "It would be unbelievable to see Freddie walk independently. When he first started trying to walk it was absolutely amazing to see.

"If he can develop that and start walking without aid then he's well on his way to a normal life and more opportunities will open up for him. I'm excited for the future.

"The boys play well together and are always causing mischief together, as well as dragging Bob in too. At the end of the day it is about Charlie and Freddie, hopefully this can make their lives easier as they grow up."